Retraction and apology

I made an error in judgement earlier today by running a story about Canadian serial killer Karla Holmolka giving birth.  At no time did I believe her to be a celebrity, but as a former criminology student, I knew that she was widely known and that news of her giving birth would be of interest and that it would probably not be reported elsewhere.  The information was reported objectively because that is our style of writing at CBB, but in truth, I was as disgusted as many of you and feel nothing but sympathy for her son to have a mother who is a ruthless killer.  The post has received many comments and a few emails from impassioned readers who urged me to remove the post.  Instead of just removing it, I am also offering an apology for a lapse of sensitivity.

If you are interested, you can read the story at blottered.com, a crime blog I contribute to.

Comments

I know she’s famous, but this monster doesn’t deserve to be mentioned on a site like CBB.

- Claire on February 14th, 2007

Um… I’m speechless for once..

- Jenny on February 14th, 2007

I would just like point out that this is pure speculation at this point. No one is confirming or denying.

- Kristin on February 14th, 2007

WHAT????!!!!! SHE WAS LET OUT OF PRISON AND ALOUD TO BREED???

P.S- WTF would marry and mate with HER? A certified sicko, I guess!

- sara on February 14th, 2007

This is disturbing. I don’t feel as though serial killers should be given the term “celebrity”, and therefore not have their reproductive activity followed. This woman doesn’t deserve any more fame. There’s a difference between FAMOUS and INFAMOUS.

- Christy on February 14th, 2007

This sickens me. I lived in Buffalo, NY, during her husband’s trial, which was in our news coverage daily — we in the U.S. heard more than Canadians did because their media was much more restricted in their coverage. It was a crime to carry a U.S. newspaper over the border during that time, no kidding! It needs to be said that her plea bargain was accepted before police discovered, hidden in their home, videotapes of the sexual tortures and murders that she and her husband carried out — videotapes which showed that Karla was an active participant. But alas, the plea bargain had been agreed upon and prosecutors could not go back. My heart goes out to the families of her victims. Their lives will never be the same.

- Brava97 on February 14th, 2007

In cases like this (sex crimes), I fully support forced sterilization. People like this do not deserve to breed. I feel sorry for that baby.

- Jackie on February 14th, 2007

Karla doesn’t deserve a child she deserves to rot in prison for the rest of her life. I feel bad for her child, because guaranteed there are people out there who are gonna give her grief when she grows up

- Natasha on February 14th, 2007

That is the absolute worst thing anyone could say. Everyone deserves a second chance, even those who commit the most horrible crimes. This woman did her time, she deserves to be happy with her son. Some people need to learn how to forgive.

- Punk_of_a_Tomboy on February 14th, 2007

I remember seeing this case on “Autopsy.” this woman is SICK! If she could do those horrible things to her own kid sister, who knows what she will do to her son. I will defenitly have to keep this baby in my prayers.

- C on February 14th, 2007

I saw a Law and Order episode based on her and her husband this past weekend. That’s very eerie!

- Peavy on February 14th, 2007

I understand the families must be distressed at this, but does this woman not deserve a second chance? Does anyone truly know what her mental state was or is? She served her time (12 years is a long time) and now she’s living her life. Life isn’t fair. Deal with it.

- katie s on February 14th, 2007

I understand the families must be distressed at this, but does this woman not deserve a second chance? Does anyone truly know what her mental state was or is? She served her time (12 years is a long time) and now she’s living her life. Life isn’t fair. Deal with it.

- katie s on February 14th, 2007

Unfortunately; tragically, the deal with police and prosecuters was struck that Karen Holmolka was given some form of immunity before testifying against her husband in these brutal killings. I forget his name. The deal was made because the police and lawyers wrongly assumed that Karen Holmolka was duped into the crimes by her husband. Then in the trial it came out that she was very much an instigator of the abductions, rapes and murders. Esp. that of her sister. So she was given a lighter sentence because this deal was struck. This happened in Canada so I don’t know how different it is from the US. I do know that she was in a minimum security prison where she learned to speak French and was filmed with other inmates participating in a “neglige fashion show.” She and her (ex) husband are two demented and sick puppies!!! She may be “infamous” but I object to giving her the dignity of being called a “celebrity.”

- Holly C. Slavic on February 14th, 2007

That sick, sick woman. May she rot in hell.

I pray to God for the physical, emotional and mental well being of that poor little boy.

I am utterly disgusted.

- Dawn on February 14th, 2007

WOW, I really hope childrens aid gets involved and takes the baby away from her. I do not feel someone who participated in such aweful crimes, should get to enjoy motherhood. Maybe by someone taking her baby, she will then know the loss she caused so many other families.

- Sara on February 14th, 2007

Oh my god that’s terrible. That poor baby. She’s THE Killer in the Canada’s history. Oh my god, I would have never imagine that.

Stéph

- Stéph on February 14th, 2007

I try not to get myself caught up in such depressing matters but this story is a very sensitive topic for me and I’m sure others and I really feel sympathy for the victims’ parents. It does feel somewhat sick that Karla is having children of her own after being accused and convicted of such horrible crimes against teenage girls. I am very concerned, and I’m not even a mother myself; i may not know exactly what she is about today but it does not seem right.

- steph on February 14th, 2007

I’m in Canada, not far from where this all went down. I was a teen when it happened. It scared me to death at the time. Now that I’m a Mom, it scares me even more. Most of us here think Karla should have been locked up for life. She participated in the rape and murder of her own sister! She said she was a battered wife and Paul made her participate. I find it beyond sickening. I read a lot about this case. This woman should NEVER be allowed to see the light of day, much less have a child of her own.

- Melissa24 on February 14th, 2007

I feel awful for the families of the victims. Pray for their own sense of peace. Don’t worry about Karla. She’ll get her due. If not in this life then the next.

- Alicia A. on February 14th, 2007

being Canadian, I remember all too well the Bernardo trial. what they did was absolutley dispicable and downright disgusting.
it’s not fair that she should have the right to give life, when she took so much of it away.
what will that boy think of his mother when he grows older?

- nikkie on February 14th, 2007

I didnt see the original post, but as a Canadian who experienced all the media first hand and as a former student who studied documents and also knew many particulars not released to the public on this case and have met & interviewed members of the victims’ families….I say thank you for removing and offering an apology. There is no room for this piece of utter human waste.

What an extra insult to the families of the victims. Their teenage daughters will never have their own babies, yet this vile garbage gets to enjoy her life and experience having a baby.

All the best to that poor child because with that thing for a mother and who knows what kind of father this child has. The fact he procreated with Karla obviously concludes that he also is questionable at best.

- katie on February 14th, 2007

Well done to Celebrity Baby Blog.
I have never heard of Karla Holmolka it was not a story that has been publised in Australia.So i had know idea who she was,but my first thought was remove this baby from this woman.
So well done to CBB for not making this a media joke like the sad story with Anna Nicole Smith-god bless Dannielynne

- corinne on February 15th, 2007

Thank you for posting the story, I found it very interesting.

- L on February 15th, 2007

Actually, Danielle, I find it a little unnerving that you removed the post. Yes, Holmolka is a ruthless, vicious killer… but as you mentioned, it was reported in an objective light, as all journalism should be. There is a fine line between being famous and being infamous, but the fame is there, regardless. I’m almost insulted that you have censored yourself because of public opinion.

- Lori on February 15th, 2007

Oh Danielle.
I completely understand why you posted it. I know you were not trying to imply that she was a celebrity, just reporting a story. The problem with blogs is that there are always stories that some people could find offensive.

I am also a bit outraged that she is allowed to become a mother and have the kind of life that was so cruelly taken away from 3 beautiful young girls.
However, if she is in the papers, then she is a celebrity…good or bad. No one has enjoyed reporting about Anna Nicole’s sad end, but people cannot get enough.

I for one want to thank you for the story. I have read about her over the years and I was morified to read this. But if she was allowed to fade into society and go about her life without things like this being reported (and her being very uncomfortable as a result), then that is unfair.
Danielle, you are the queen of celebrity baby media!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- keri on February 15th, 2007

As a relative of one of the girls Karla helped murder, I appreciate your apology and thank you for removing the post.

- CanadianMomma on February 15th, 2007

Dear Danielle,

You made no mistake in judgement in your posting. Your retraction and apology should be very upsetting to your readers. Shame on them for placing more value on the lives of some than others. The definition of celebrity is “well known.” They are interchangeable.

There is no denying that her past actions are absolutely horrific. I ask all readers to remember the societal, environmental and biological factors that contribute to people committing such horrible crimes. In some ways, though distant, we are all responsible to some degree for the violent crime that occurs in this world. Example – it is proven that countries at war and those who actively use the death penalty have much higher violent crime rates. To that extent, anyone who supports war and/or the death penalty or who does not protest both of the above is through passive means supporting violent crime. While not a pleasant reality, still an undeniable truth.

The removal is indicative of a higher value being placed on some “well known” people. Removing the post closes the discussion and hurts everyone. It shuts down a conversation that it is important for people to be having. I would argue that this discussion is MORE important than most if not all presently here. It involves topics/issues that really matter. How do we treat people who’s actions we do not like (or maybe despise in this case)? This is something important we all need to be teaching our children, how not to hate.

I am kindly requesing this information be reposted.

Peace and Love to all!

- HappyMom on February 15th, 2007

Dear Danielle,

You made no mistake in judgement in your posting. Your retraction and apology should be very upsetting to your readers. Shame on them for placing more value on the lives of some than others. The definition of celebrity is “well known.” They are interchangeable.

There is no denying that her past actions are absolutely horrific. I ask all readers to remember the societal, environmental and biological factors that contribute to people committing such horrible crimes. In some ways, though distant, we are all responsible to some degree for the violent crime that occurs in this world. Example – it is proven that countries at war and those who actively use the death penalty have much higher violent crime rates. To that extent, anyone who supports war and/or the death penalty or who does not protest both of the above is through passive means supporting violent crime. While not a pleasant reality, still an undeniable truth.

The removal is indicative of a higher value being placed on some “well known” people. Removing the post closes the discussion and hurts everyone. It shuts down a conversation that it is important for people to be having. I would argue that this discussion is MORE important than most if not all presently here. It involves topics/issues that really matter. How do we treat people who’s actions we do not like (or maybe despise in this case)? This is something important we all need to be teaching our children, how not to hate.

I am kindly requesing this information be reposted.

Peace and Love to all!

- HappyMom on February 15th, 2007

Her name is Homolka…not Holmolka.

- LA Shark on February 15th, 2007

I remember her story. She should of had to serve life. I can only imagine how the victims’ families feel.

The poor baby to..Imagine that.

- Yonni on February 15th, 2007

Its a sad, discusting, disturbing fact that a convicted murderer and rapist be allowed the joy of bearing and raising children. Even though it isnt as pleasent as hearing that the latest hottest celeb is expecting, its still ‘baby news’, and i think people should still have open conversations even is its a darker subject. So, there really isnt any law preventing someone like her from raising a child?? That poor boy is going to have a very hard life…sad.

- moog on February 15th, 2007

Thank you for removing the story. I didn’t even see it, but, as a new mother, I deliberately try to shelter myself from that type of news. Believe me, it had been challenging to avoid that story here in Canada. Forget CNN, I read CBB instead!

- Kelly on February 15th, 2007